In an emergency, the most defenseless victims are always girls and boys. When a natural disaster strikes, like the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, every hour counts. We know from other disaster contexts that Children are extremely vulnerable and are at high risk of family separation, emotional and psychological distress, abuse and exploitation, as well as other forms of violence.
In Syria and Turkey there will be boys and girls who are alone, scared or hurt. Added to this scenario is another drawback: the difficult climatic conditions that exist in the most affected areas with temperatures below zero. Last night many boys, girls and their families slept outdoors for safety reasons, enduring freezing temperatures. The snow and frost storms that are expected in the region will further worsen the situation.
It is one of the strongest earthquakes to have struck the region in the last 100 years. Thousands of buildings, including hospitals and schools, have collapsed in Turkey and thousands of families will have lost their homes, displacing thousands of people in dire need of shelter, warm clothing and food.
In Turkey, the work is now focused on the search and rescue of people. From Save the Children we are working closely with the Government and the Disaster Management Directorate (AFAD) and evaluating the needs related to this humanitarian response. In Syria, we are prepared to support this emergency in coordination with our local partners. Added to this natural catastrophe is more than a decade of conflict, which is why Syrian children face one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies. In addition, the affected area in Turkey is close to the Syrian border and hosts many already vulnerable refugees living in overcrowded and unstable accommodation in Turkey.
Safe spaces for children
Attending to the most basic needs of children is essential to be able to protect and save their lives. But education and play can become as essential as everything else. Therefore, in emergencies, We also create safe spaces for children where we try to help children recover a certain state of normality in the midst of chaos. that a natural disaster has caused in their lives. A space where they can continue receiving education, where they can play and share their experiences with other children and, in addition, where they have psychological support.
From Save the Children we call for all people who can donate to our Emergency Fund to quickly attend to the childhood victims of the earthquake.
Other ways to donate:
By transfer or deposit into a bank account (Item: EMERGENCY FUND)
Santander ES13 0049 0001 5224 1001 9194
CaixaBank ES89 2100 1727 1202 0003 2834
BBVA ES83 0182 5502 5800 1002 0207
Triodos Bank ES79 1491 0001 2321 3986 2623
Por Bizum
A Save the Children, NGO code:
(Item: EMERGENCY FUND)
By phone
900 37 37 15 (free, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
By SMS
Send HELP to 38098 (Cost 3 euros, full donation to Save the Children).